On the recordJuly 12, 2023
I believe you can tell a lot about the values of a nation based on how they treat and care for those who step up and are entrusted with defending the nation. If we are honest with ourselves, we don't always keep our promises, and we don't always do enough for them. We have servicemembers who are struggling with food insecurity and mental health challenges. We have military families struggling with rising costs and prices, issues that we can better deal with, whether childcare or others. To have the best and strongest military, we need to be the best and strongest employer. This NDAA is our chance to do better. So far, this NDAA takes some important steps to improve the quality of life for our servicemembers and their families. It gives a needed pay raise, and it takes action to address suicide and childcare needs. There is more that we need to do, but these are important steps forward. I have also seen and heard of provisions and amendments, though, that would make it harder for servicemembers to get access to the care that they need or to know and feel that they are welcome and supported by our military and our country. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to oppose efforts that would do that and that would jeopardize some of the gains for our military families that are in this NDAA and make it harder for us to recruit for our all-volunteer force, a force that is the most diverse fighting force on this planet.…
